In the years leading up to the French Revolution, the economic disparities and social inequalities among different classes in France were becoming increasingly pronounced. While the bourgeoisie experienced some economic gains, the peasants and artisans faced considerable financial strain. The rising cost of goods and stagnant wages created a climate of dissatisfaction that contributed to the revolutionary atmosphere.
Economic Burdens on Peasants
The late 18th century was a time of economic difficulty for French peasants. From 1720 to 1789, the cost of general goods surged by 65 percent, significantly outpacing the price increase for farm goods, which was the primary source of income for the peasant population. This disparity meant that while the cost of living rose sharply, the income of peasants did not keep pace, placing them under considerable financial strain. The heavy load of taxes further exacerbated their plight, as they had fewer means to shield themselves from fiscal pressures compared to other social groups.
Artisans’ Wage Discrepancies
Artisans, skilled workers who crafted goods by hand, also struggled during this period. Their wages saw a meager increase of only 22 percent over the same decades when the prices of goods were climbing. This wage stagnation relative to the rising cost of living led to growing discontent among the artisan class. They were caught in a squeeze between their static incomes and the escalating prices that eroded their purchasing power and standard of living.
Bourgeoisie’s Economic Position
In contrast to the peasants and artisans, the bourgeoisie, or the middle class, were somewhat better off in terms of handling the economic situation. This group included businessmen, merchants, and professionals who could better protect themselves from the brunt of taxation. Most businessmen benefited from the rising prices and the significant expansion of French trade, which increased fivefold between 1713 and 1789. This economic growth contributed to the wealth and influence of the bourgeoisie.
Social Aspirations of the Bourgeoisie
Despite their relative economic prosperity, the bourgeoisie were deeply dissatisfied with the existing social and political order. They resented the snubs from the nobility and the exclusion from high-ranking positions within the bureaucracy, Church, and army. The bourgeoisie sought political power and social prestige that reflected their growing economic strength. They were not content with being treated as second-class subjects and aimed to align their social status with their economic significance.
The Onset of the French Revolution
The French Revolution unfolded in stages, starting not as a bourgeois uprising but as an aristocratic one in 1787. Over time, it shifted towards more radical phases, moving through the bourgeoisie and reaching the masses. The initial moderate stance of the revolution gradually gave way to more extreme measures until a reactionary phase brought Napoleon Bonaparte to power. The transformation of the revolution mirrored the complex interplay of social, economic, and political forces at work in France at the time.
Questions for UPSC
1. How did the economic conditions of peasants and artisans contribute to the outbreak of the French Revolution?
2. In what ways did the aspirations of the bourgeoisie differ from their actual social and political status prior to the French Revolution?
3. What role did the economic policies and tax structures of the pre-revolutionary French government play in exacerbating class tensions?